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IMDb > The Substance of Fire (1996)

The Substance of Fire (1996) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   361 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Jon Robin Baitz (play)
Jon Robin Baitz (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Substance of Fire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 March 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Doing What Is Right... Could Cost Him Everything.
Plot:
Isaac Geldhart is a Holocaust survivor who, overcome by grief at the recent death of his wife, seems... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Film version of play Has "Substance",lacks "Fire". more (16 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tony Goldwyn ... Aaron Geldhart
Benjamin Ungar ... Young Isaac Geldhart

Timothy Hutton ... Martin Geldhart
Tom McDermott ... Old Printer

Sarah Jessica Parker ... Sarah Geldhart
George Morfogen ... Otto the printer

Ron Rifkin ... Isaac Geldhart

Lee Grant ... Cora Cahn

Andrew Pang ... Mr. Otani jr
Edmund Ikeda ... Mr. Otani sr
Elizabeth Franz ... Miss Barzakian

Gil Bellows ... Val Chenard

Eric Bogosian ... Gene Byck
Ronny Graham ... Louis Foukold
John Sullivan ... Stewart
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language.
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Social Services worker: It's a process. No one person can come to a conclusion. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Showbiz Today: (1995-08-28)" (1995) more

FAQ

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1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Film version of play Has "Substance",lacks "Fire"., 19 December 2001
Author: peacham from Pa.



The Main reason to see the film version of "The Substance Of Fire" is Ron Rifkin's splendid performance. He reprises the role he created on stage with great aplomb.It is however,one of the few reasons to see this film.The plot has been drastically altered from the original play,even adding major characters that did not exist in the original.The basic story remains, a Jewish Publisher and his slow decent into dementia brought on through his loss of control of the company to his son. But there it ends. The messages in this film are very clear,but the execution,direction and scripting destroy the impact of the original play.

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Related Links

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